22 blackbucks found dead near Gujarat Park

Forest department officials confirm that 22 blackbucks swept away by flood waters in the district have been found dead near the Velavadar National Park.

Twenty-two blackbucks swept away by flood waters in the district were found dead near the Velavadar National Park, forest department officials said on Thursday.

"The bodies of 22 blackbucks were recovered from Bari and Savia Nagar areas surrounding the Velavadar National Park, which is home to the endangered species of deer," Bipin Barodawala, deputy conservator of forests at Bhavnagar, said.

"These animals died after being swept away in the flood waters in the district," he said.

According to forest officials, the toll could increase as large tracts of land in and around the sanctuary are still flooded with water.

However, no blackbuck has been found dead inside the Velavadar sanctuary, Barodawala said.

The sanctuary spread over an area of 35 square kms is famous for its large blackbuck population.